22 Dec 2011 – our family life time capsule
Recently I was having a conversation with someone and reflecting on 2011. It’s ridiculous how I can look back at the year I’ve just had and begin to recall the difficulties or hard times…. perhaps it’s coz I’m British and we have a pre-disposed tendency to moan about things, I start talking about the tough times: the bills, the up & downs of work, the fighting of our boys, the chores, the everyday grey…what ever negative part of the year pops into my head first…. Luckily I said in my head STOP!, and this is what the past couple of years has shown me, lessons learnt through my 365… that there is always something to be grateful for and there is always goodness if you seek it out.
I nearly ran out of time to do this time capsule of 2011 of our family life, (I still am working on my favourite images of other people I’ve photographed, that will follow at some point) Christmas has crept up on me and we have the dream trip of a life time to prepare for… but I had to look back at 2011 through my camera to remember how I saw it…. plain and simple… and notice that OH BOY! there were good times, happiness, sunshine, love, understanding… there were kittens born, adventures and travels, laughter, music, tenderness, boys growing up, fun, whistling, kisses, and the most magical time a bluebell forest….
I’m grateful to have this footage, I’m grateful I have my camera to seek out the special times and record them forever…. we all know life isn’t like this all the time, the daily squabbles between my boys proves that! and somedays I don’t pick up my camera for various reasons, but putting this together makes glad I did pick up on good days and I will keep doing it for as long as I can.
This really is what I’m meant to do…. to capture the connections and the moments I see.
So this time capsule is a fairly personal piece of work, containing footage and photos I wouldn’t normally share… but as I’m starting on a journey of creating time capsules for other people (please contact me if you are interested) and showing & sharing others how I do it (please join my mailing list for details of my upcoming course)…. I thought I’d better share it here…
It was hard to decide what to include (I’ve shot a lot over the course of this year) and just as important… what to leave out. Every image or scene is a memory I want to hold onto and that really is how/WHY I shoot from my heart…
Thanks for being here. x.
Teri
Posted at 05:24h, 26 JulyLove Love! what music did you use?
Margaret and Ted
Posted at 11:41h, 31 DecemberAbsolutely wonderful! M and T xxxxxxxxx
tamar
Posted at 06:11h, 27 Decemberbeautiful! thank you for sharing.
Mary
Posted at 02:03h, 26 DecemberWhat a beautiful capsule, Xanthe. It’s a beautiful collection of images and video. Inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
francesca aka Madame Eliot
Posted at 16:20h, 24 Decembercan’t handle these anymore xanna. what with this and isi’s tooth coming out, i’m an emotional wreck!
have a wonderful christmas and an AMAZING!!!!! time in nyc. we’ll be thinking about you. x
p.s. c whistling is the best thing ever! cracked me up.
pen
Posted at 11:15h, 24 DecemberUtterly brilliant.
xxx
teresa
Posted at 10:28h, 24 DecemberI came here from Kim’s facebook page and I’m so glad I did . . . . .ah such precious memories . . .all safe and captured never to be forgotten. A treasure for you and a joy for me to get a glimpse of your special moments.
thank you and Merry Christmas, Teresa xx
Adriana
Posted at 06:45h, 24 DecemberXanthe what beautiful moments you have captured. I absolutely love this. Thank you for sharing! I have enjoyed viewing all of your videos (this one takes the cake!). Hope to see more in the new year, Happy 2012. =)
kristin
Posted at 04:20h, 24 Decembergorgeous. i think i especially love seeing all the ones of you and luke since we rarely see those elsewhere… xo family!
Kirstin
Posted at 21:08h, 23 Decemberbeautiful. x
Laura
Posted at 17:28h, 23 DecemberOh, Xanthe…I have no words. It was simply wonderful! Every image. Every line of the song. Perfect. Thank you so much for sharing! Love you to bits!
amy
Posted at 17:07h, 23 Decemberwhat an elegant, natural, dance of a piece you’ve created and lived out. making something as beautiful as this is a testament to the love and attentiveness you cultivate and are so obviously grateful for. such a gift, you have, for showing the tiniest details and quietest times in all their grandeur 🙂 these are more than images, these are poems. you’ve written a love song and it’s one we can all tune into.
every time i see your work, i feel a real kinship, of aesthetics and soul. best of the best to you and your sweet family in the new year. i do so look forward to seeing the products of your mind and heart. blessings and peace to you.
Polly Scott
Posted at 16:21h, 23 DecemberThis video is just incredibly beautiful. How many millions of hours did this take?! The short videos just captured everyday wonderful moments so perfectly. Nice job.
erika
Posted at 15:51h, 23 DecemberI’m sitting here trying to decide what to type. Words don’t seem to be appropriate. Gorgeous. You’ve inspired me to shoot more video for sure. Happy new year!! I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings all of us!
Cherish
Posted at 15:45h, 23 DecemberXanthe – I’m such a huge fan. Ever since I saw your work (just before camp), I have been an avid follower. Sometimes I try to pin down exactly what it is about your photos that moves me so much (the deep shadow play, brilliant use of light, composition…) I could go on. Love it all. Keep it up, sister.
Sharon
Posted at 15:34h, 23 DecemberLove Love Love Love Love.
And then one more Love to really prove that I loved this.
Thanks for sharing.
Best to you & yours.
Samantha
Posted at 15:29h, 23 DecemberThat was beautiful. Thank you for sharing!!
leslie
Posted at 15:01h, 23 Decemberdear, dear Xanthe… this is the most beautiful piece! I think of you, and appreciate you, and miss you so often 🙂 I am so glad that this is the year that we got to meet in person! I love you and your spirit. I hope you and your family have the very best holiday (OMGNYC!!!) and I can’t wait for us to have another adventure together! So so so much love to you, the boys, and the sweetest kitties ever 🙂 xoxoxoxoxox
Lisa Gutierrez
Posted at 14:59h, 23 DecemberSimply beautiful!
Jill
Posted at 14:35h, 23 DecemberVery, very, neat.
Tina
Posted at 14:23h, 23 Decemberyou have such a cute and creative little family. what a great time capsule. 🙂
oh and those kittens? so freakin’ adorable.
Debra
Posted at 14:10h, 23 DecemberSo gorgeous! I’m so grateful to have met you this year. Enjoy NYC and I hope to see you in 2012 xo
kim klassen
Posted at 13:41h, 23 Decemberyou are meant for this, my beautiful friend..
I’m so glad you are in my life.
this time capsule had tears rolling down my cheeks….. thank you for this glimpse into your life…
love to you and yours… xo, Kim